Rob van Bokhoven joins the VA Supervisory Board

The Supervisory Board of the Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit (Dutch Martial Arts Authority) has a new member: Rob van Bokhoven.

In his day-to-day work, Van Bokhoven is a senior public prosecutor and national public prosecutor for Mobile Banditry at the Public Prosecution Service (Openbaar Ministerie). In addition, until recently Van Bokhoven chaired the police complaints committee in Amsterdam and he is a prosecutor at the Institute for Sports Adjudication (Instituut voor Sportrechtspraak, ISR).

Update July 2023: As of 18 September 2023, Van Bokhoven is director of International Affairs at the Repatriation and Departure Service (Dienst Terugkeer & Vertrek) of the Ministry of Justice and Security.

‘The VA regularly deals with a variety of legal issues. For example, concerning disciplinary law and the approach to doping. The role of the Supervisory Board is to keep the board and the organisation as a whole on course and alert. A firm positioning of the VA, with good connections to all sports partners, is important in this respect.’

‘For me, subjects such as safety, uniform regulations and integrity are important themes. I think that with my broad legal and administrative background I can be of added value to the VA and to martial arts.’

His experience with the processes of various organisations can also be useful to the VA. His involvement in sport in general is also apparent from his membership of the The Hague Advisory Council for Sport (Haagse Adviesraad voor Sport). His love of martial arts was there from an early age. He started with judo and later practised pencak silat, karate and kickboxing.

‘I still do kickboxing, along with running and triathlon. I started martial arts when I was 4 years old. It has brought me a great deal: discipline, respect, a sense of togetherness, but also digging deep and pushing boundaries. Not only do I stay fit, it is also my way of clearing my head. And I simply enjoy it a great deal.’

Van Bokhoven officially takes up his position on 1 July 2023. The Supervisory Board consists of people who are committed to martial arts but are entirely independent and therefore not affiliated with federations, promotions or other martial arts organisations. Membership of the Supervisory Board is an unpaid position.